Queen reportedly denied Prince Harry's request in “all of two seconds”

Prince Harry requested that a wreath be laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph

Prince Harry
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Queen supposedly denied Prince Harry’s request for a wreath to be laid at the Cenotaph in November 2020 and now an insider has claimed that this decision didn't take long to make.

The Queen reportedly denied her grandson Prince Harry’s request for a wreath to be laid on his behalf at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday. Instead, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex visited Los Angeles National Cemetery on Remembrance Sunday in November to lay a floral tribute. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex previously stepped down as senior members of the royal family back in early 2020 and have since made their home in America. 

Now, according to the Daily Mail, an insider has suggested that the prince’s grandmother, the Queen, was quick to reach the important decision regarding Prince Harry’s request.

The publication reports that a palace source has revealed: “Remembrance Sunday is sacrosanct when it comes to Her Majesty's diary'. They supposedly added: “It's one of the most important dates in her calendar and nothing is done without her knowledge”.

Whilst the royal source suggests that it was Queen herself who was behind the decision, the report also claims that it took her 'all of two seconds' to make up her mind.

Speaking of the reaction to the news that Prince Harry’s request had been denied, they supposedly revealed that: “People were suggesting the Palace's reaction to what Harry asked was petty. But it was the Queen's decision. And what's more, she actually had very strong views on the subject”.

Why did the Queen deny Prince Harry’s request?

Whilst the exact reason for the Queen denying Prince Harry’s request has never been officially confirmed, another source allegedly explained to the Daily Mail that “While she has enormous admiration for Harry's achievements both in and out of the military, this was seen as an example of his lack of understanding at what it means for him to be a non-working royal.”

They reportedly added: “The Queen is very firmly of the opinion that you can't pick and choose what you do when it comes to the institution. Either you are in — or you are out.”

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex meets children as she attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020

(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped down as senior royal family members in early 2020. They are understood to have been given a 12-month period before their current royal exit deal is reviewed. Some have now suggested that it is “quite likely” that the royal couple will lose their HRH titles when this happens.

Whilst their future roles within the Royal Family are perhaps less certain at this point, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have recently launched their own podcast, Archewell Audio.

The first episode has now been released and their updated Archewell website has been unveiled.

Now we will have to wait to see what the future holds for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!